The Ferrari Limited “Icona” series pays tribute to its iconic cars from the 1950’s and 1960’s. An era where it was make or break for Ferrari. At that time, Enzo Ferrari, the founder and CEO, was completely focused on his racing team. Yes they produced luxury road cars, but those were only sold in order to fund his racing team. But the late 1950’s were a deep and dark time for Ferrari. As cars became faster and races became more competitive, safety was often overlooked, making the sport of racing extremely difficult. During the 1957 Mille Miglia (thousand mile race) Ferrari driver, Fernando De Portago was speeding down the country road during the last few miles of the race. He ended up blowing a tire, therefore leading to a huge crash. Killing himself, his co-driver and nine spectators, five of them children. One of the other Ferrari drivers won that race, but it was overshadowed by De Portago’s crash. Fast forward to 1967, Ferrari had one of its most recognizable wins, the 1-2-3 Finish at 24 hours of Daytona.

Since this was one of the darkest but most recognizable eras for Ferrari, they decided to pay tribute to it. Bringing the past versions of these cars and creating a series that creates a sense of modernism and tribute. The Icona series was introduced to bring these cars from the dead and re-introduce them into a modern car design. Ferrari decided to grasp some inspiration from the 1957 Ferrari 250 Testarossa, the 1948 Ferrari 166 MM Barchetta and the 1967 Ferrari 330 P4 in order to create the Ferrari Monza SP1/SP2 and the Ferrari Daytona SP3. The 250 Testarossa, 166 MM Barchetta and 330 P were extremely iconic cars, they displayed curves on a car like never before seen. They are truly a piece of vintage art.

Ferrari 250 Testarossa

If you take a look above you’ll see the 1957 Ferrari 250 Testarossa. That’s the car that won the Mille Miglia in 1957 with driver, Piero Taruffi … but it was also the car that caused the deaths during the exact same race. If you look at it, you an tell right away that it is the heart of the classic car aesthetic. An era where every car manufacture was designing their cars with beautiful curves, wired wheels, the largest motors they could fit in them and about zero safety regulation. The classic car era lasted from around 1946 to 1972, creating a triumph of beautiful vehicles that people are still fascinated with to this day. In Ferrari’s new Icona Series, they were able to bring the 250 Testarossa and the 166 MM Barchetta back to life with the Monza SP1/SP2. The Monza SP1/SP2 was produced in 2019, creating 819 horsepower through the power of a V12 Naturally Aspirated motor. But the really cool part was its design. The SP1 is an exposed one seater with no windshield or passenger seat. While the SP2 is the same concept, only with two seats. Because the driver and passengers are completely exposed, Ferrari decided to add a modern touch to its classic racing style. A leather helmet, eye goggles and leather gloves were included in the purchase of one of these cars. Paying tribute yet again to its classic iconic racing cars and drivers.

Ferrari Monza SP1/SP2 Helmet and Gloves

Ferrari Monza SP1

In 1967, Ferrari came out with yet another iconic racing car that boasted several wins including the 24 hours of Daytona in the US. That was an iconic win not only because they won in the US, but because they got first, second and third place at the exact same time. The Ferrari 330 P4 is a beautiful classic Ferrari. With swooping fenders, low center of gravity, curved glass like a fishbowl and a body looking like it was shaped by the wind itself was the new highlight for Ferrari. It is seen as the poster car for the classic car era. The classic car era incorporated a lot of big bulging headlights, fins, rolling fenders, very long length cars and peculiar body shapes. Most of the body shapes from classic european cars were very round and tapered. While in the United States they were very blocky, heavy and had no consideration for aerodynamics. There was a varying contrast in design when it came to US vs. European design. Europe focused a lot of sharp designs, where the cars nose would be low to the ground and its rear square. In the US, they wanted their cars to be big, blocky, noisy, fast and heavy. During Ferrari’s triumph in the 60’s, it forced companies such as Ford to rethink their car designs in order to beat them. That’s when the Ford Gt40 was introduced. The Ford GT40 was a design never before seen in the United States. It had a very sharp and low nose with a squared off back end… much like the race cars in Europe. Ford went on to beat Ferrari at the 24 Hours De Le mans due to its change in car design.

Ferrari 330 P4

Ford GT40

Fast forward to 2022. Ferrari decided to introduce yet another Icona Series hypercar, the Ferrari Daytona SP3. A tribute to the Ferrari 330 P4. If you look at both cars you will see many similarities. From the horizontal vents, to the high curves over the wheel arch and even around the shape of the windshield and driver cockpit. The Daytona SP3 was yet again able to pull ideas and design aspects from the 330 P4 and incorporate it within itself to bring it back to life. It is a true showcase of bringing the classic car era to the modern day and age. There was the 330 P4 and the 330 P3, the 330 P3 was a convertible, with only windows surrounding the cockpit. The Daytona SP3 also holds the exact same design aspect, where the driver is able to take the roof off and mimic the classic 330 P3.

Ferrari Daytona SP3

This goes to show that car companies such as Ferrari can pay tribute to its classic car era, and bring it back to life through its modern designs. The Daytona SP3 and Monza SP1/SP2 are great examples of how two different aesthetics can be combined, to keep them both alive sixty years apart.

Sources:

(1) Radu, Vlad. “The Fantastic Racing History of the Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa.” Autoevolution, 11 Dec. 2020, www.autoevolution.com/news/the-fantastic-racing-history-of-the-ferrari-250-testa-rossa-152903.html.